Pictures once owned by The Rolling Stones drummer late Charlie Watts are among those going under the hammer in an auction of dog paintings. The dog sale at Bonhams in Edinburgh will include artwork featuring a range of breeds, from spaniels and St Bernards to deerhounds and terriers.
One of the paintings once held in the collection of Watts is A Proud Mother by Robert Alexander, which is estimated to fetch £4,000-£6,000. Depicting a collie with its pups, it was originally exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1879.
Bonhams said Watts was a devoted lover of dogs, owning nine collies with his wife, and was a patron of the Forever Hounds Trust. Leo Webster, picture specialist at Bonhams, said: “We’re exceptionally lucky to be offering paintings by of some of the most sought-after artists of dogs, from the 19th century to the 21st.
“The sale contains a wonderfully diverse range of breeds, from large deerhounds, St Bernards, and setters to smaller toy breeds like Affenpinschers, spaniels, and the ever-charming Dandie Dinmonts. There’s something for every dog lover.
“The dog sale consistently sparks fantastic interest from collectors around the world, and this year’s auction is no exception; we’re certainly seeing that same international buzz building already. The works in this sale come from a range of sellers, including some passionate collectors who’ve dedicated years, even lifetimes, to building their dog art collections – the loyalty goes both ways.
“A few paintings in this year’s sale once belonged to Charlie Watts, drummer for The Rolling Stones, and judging by the collies featured in his collection, it’s safe to say he had a soft spot for them.” Bonhams said there are six paintings in the sale that were previously owned by Mr Watts (lots 2, 19, 85, 86, 87 and 88).
These are being offered from a collection unrelated to the late drummer but were purchased directly from his estate and were not on the open market. Other pictures in the sale include a painting by Eugene Verboeckhoven, titled Duke, depicting a King Charles spaniel, which is estimated at £15,000-£20,000.
A 19th century British painting titled Dandie Dinmont Terrier Ginger III, by an artist known as APB, is estimated to sell for £3,000-£5,000. The long bodied, short-legged terriers were named after Dandie Dinmont, a central character in the Sir Walter Scott novel Guy Mannering. The sale takes place on July 23.
